Hello everyone!
This post is about a journey that I started five years ago, Gamifying. This is what we call a "new trend" with teachers where you make your classroom more game oriented to promote intrinsic motivation. So, as a middle school teacher, that is the ultimate goal!
I have tried many things over the years and feel like I have started towards perfecting it, but for this post, I'm going to keep it to the introductions. What do YOU do if you want to get started with gamifying?
Step One: Pick Your Format
Are you a paper person or a digital guru? Our school uses Canvas and it is a great way to gamify, but before the fancy LS, I was paper all the way. So choose one and stick with it. I've got a couple of ideas down below for you ;).
Step Two: Pick Your Challenges
In stead of assignments, I use the word "challenges" (more on this in a little bit). Basically, what assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, etc. do you use every year? Get them out, put them in order based off your units you teach.
Step Three: Make A Board (Outline, Pathway, Etc.)
Now that you have your challenges and they are in order, start placing them as squared on a gameboard or challenge points to complete in an RPG format, or my personal favorite, modules on Canvas that can't be unlocked until the previous challenge is complete. This is where the rubber meets the road per say (most work will be done here). Take it ONE unit, quarter, subject, etc. at a time.
Step Four: Change Your Vocabulary
Now this was hard for me to begin with, but you can change your vocabulary pretty easily. Example 1 of course was assignments --> challenges. Other examples would be Unit Tests --> Boss Battles, Quizzes --> Mini Boss Battles, Grades --> Experience Points, the list goes on. Take inspiration from your favorite game (mine being D&D)
Well that's all for now on gamifying. These four steps need to be achieved first. Once you got that, get ready for Part Two!
Until next time!
That One Science Teacher
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